Our Assurance of Salvation: Devotion for Sunday March 29, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Sunday March 29, 2020

Topic: Our Assurance of Salvation                           

Text: 1 John 5: 1 – 5

Probably John had a challenge that some Christians sometimes doubt their salvation and some still express such doubt today. He had explains to his readers how to know if they are truly saved or not. That is the assurance/evidence of our salvation. Read this passage again and again to gain the needed assurance. John also reviewed Jesus’ mission to this earth and in dying from 1 John 5:6ff. He wrote to reassure Christians about their faith because some false teachers had given them cause to doubt the security of their salvation.

How can we know we have eternal life? John tells us: trust in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:13). Jesus is God’s own Son, the one who came as a human being, died to pay the penalty for our sins, and rose again. His work alone gives Him the power and right to forgive all who confess their sins to Him (1 John 1:9). Anyone who believes in Christ has eternal life (see John 3:16).

Beloved, any time you feel insecure about your salvation and begin to doubt, reaffirm your trust in Christ. It is good to reaffirm our faith on daily basis by confessing our baptismal creed. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour? This is the opportunity for you to do so now.

Food for Thought: Do you still doubt your salvation? Then search yourself and go back to God in prayer.

Memory verse: 1 John 5:2

Prayer: God, help me not to doubt my salvation. Strengthen my faith in you.

One Condition for Receiving: Devotion for Saturday February 22, 2020

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday February 22, 2020

Topic: One Condition for Receiving                

Text: John 15:1 – 8

There are conditions upon which God can answer prayers as Jesus revealed in our text. In verses 4 – 7, Jesus consecutively used “abide in me.” To abide in Jesus means total and complete submission to His will, purpose and intent. Someone who abides in Christ is known by the fruits the fellow bears (Matt. 7:16, 17; Galatians 5:22, 23). Someone who is in Christ is known by his or her commitment to the service of God and humanity.

If we hope to please God and gain anything from Him, we must a) be united with Christ – abide in Him b) Our lives should be regulated by the word of God c) pray (ask) d) note that heavenly blessings shall be given to those who continue in the union with Christ with loving obedience and praying spirit.      

Abiding in Jesus is a guarantee that we will receive from God what we ask because abiding in Him involves to submission to His will. Are you abiding in Him? Do you depend on your strength, power, wisdom, knowledge, parents, connections and other means to succeed?

It is only in Christ that can do it for us (John 15:5) and He is our sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Food for Thought: Are you in Christ and His word in you?

Memory verse: John 15:7

Prayer: God help me to abide in you and your word in me so that when I ask, I will receive in Jesus name.

The Assurance Of Salvation

Devotion for Tuesday June 5, 2018

Sing SS&S 873

Topic: The Assurance Of Salvation

Text: 1 John 5: 1 – 5 

From our bible reading, we can understand that John had a challenge that some Christians sometimes doubt their salvation and he decided to address the problem in this epistle. This is very true among Christians. Some have opened up to confess it to me. Do you sometimes doubt your salvation? Then the explanations here are important to you. John teaches how to know if they are truly saved or not. That is the assurance/evidence of our salvation. Read this passage again and again to gain the needed assurance. John also reviewed Jesus’ mission to this earth and in dying for our sins from 1 John 5:6ff. He wrote this letter to reassure Christians of their faith, as some false teachers had given them cause to doubt the security of their salvation.  For us to know that we have eternal life, John tells us: trust in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:13). Jesus is God’s own Son, the one who came as a human being, died to pay the penalty for our sins, and rose again. His work alone gives Him the power and the right to forgive all who confess their sins to Him (1 John 1:9). Anyone who believes in Christ has eternal life (see John 3:16). The next time you feel insecure about your salvation, reaffirm your trust in Christ. It is good to reaffirm our faith on daily basis by confessing our baptismal creed. Then you can know you have eternal life.

Food for Thought: Do you still doubt your salvation? Then search yourself and go back to God in prayer.

Memory verse: 1 John 5:1

Prayer: God, strengthen my faith so that I will not doubt my salvation.

Jesus, Our Advocate

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Saturday April 8, 2017

Topic: Jesus, Our Advocate

Text: 1 John 2:1

An Advocate is someone who supports or speaks in favour of something. An advocate is someone who acts or intercedes on behalf of another. Advocate is legal representative of somebody as in lawyers.  An Advocate pleads, mediates (1Timothy 2:5) and intercedes on behalf of his client. In legal terms, he represents and speaks on behalf of his client in court.

John used this legal term to explain the role Jesus Christ plays for us in the presence of His Father. The great object which John wrote to them was that they should not sin; and yet if they sinned, and were conscious that they were guilty before God, they should not despair. Rather they should confess and repent of their sins because they have an Advocate with the Father who is a propitiation for the sins of the world (1 John 2:1 & 2).

John also asserts that we shouldn’t take it as delight to continue living is sin. Unfortunately, this is common among some Christians today. Some wilfully commit sin because we have an advocate. Remember that God is also a consuming fire. As our "advocate," Christ is not a mere suppliant petitioner. He pleads for us on the ground of justice, or righteousness, as well as mercy (see yesterday’s devotion: http://mydailycovenantwithgod.blogspot.com/2017/04/gods-mercy-is-indispensable.html). He pleads with the Father not to withdraw His love because we may have been betrayed into sin.

Beloved, have you been betrayed into sinning and you are now feeling guilty and condemned? John offers reassurance that God will forgive you for the sake of our advocate who is the only propitiation for our sins. Go to God in prayer now.

Food for Thought: What will be our condition without Jesus?

Memory verse: 1 Timothy 2:5

Prayer: Grant me the grace, O Lord, not to wilfully sin against you in Jesus name. Amen

Price of Godliness (Imprisonment 2)

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Friday March 31, 2017                

Topic: Price of Godliness (Imprisonment 2)

Text: Act 4:1 – 4

When you have a message from God and preach it raw as received, there is every tendency it will hurt some people and puncture their ego. I have incurred the wrath of many people because of my messages. I thank God that so far, they have not arrested or sent me to prison. The Sadducees don’t believe in resurrection and for the disciples to be preaching that Jesus resurrected was not acceptable to them. They instigated the arrest of the Peter and John.

These men (Apostles Peter and John) had spoken to the people during the afternoon prayer time. The Sadducees moved in quickly to investigate. They were understandably disturbed with what the Apostles were saying because they were refuting one of their fundamental beliefs and thus threatening their authority as religious teachers. Because of their unlimited power over the Temple grounds, they were able to arrest Peter and John for no other reason than teaching what contradicts their beliefs.

Preaching the gospel can offend some people because of their tie with the devil and it can even lead to imprisonment. Though it is not always that preaching can lead to problem but we run risks in trying to win others to Christ. The risks may include attack of the enemies of the cross, rejection, persecution, imprisonment, denial of rights and privileges. Whatever risk we may face, we should note that people of God in the past suffered same and we should be willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. Whatever the risks, realize that nothing done for God is ever wasted. You will surely receive your reward.

Food for Thought: You can bind and imprison a preacher but you cannot bind or imprison his message.

Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 3

Prayer: Lord, grant utterance to your people to enable them preach no matter the risk and consequences in Jesus name. Amen.

Don’t Be Intimidated

MY DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL

Devotion for Monday March 27, 2017

Topic: Don’t Be Intimidated

Text: Acts 4:23 – 31          

Sometimes we may exercise boldness and courage over issues but when we leave there, people may talk fear into us and discourage us. When Peter and John got back to the other disciples, they narrated what happened at the council. These disciples didn’t exercise any fear too. Rather they joined hands to pray for more utterance and boldness to preach the gospel. They never asked God to silence their enemies. They didn’t pray for their death neither did they ask God for protection against their threat and persecution. All they were after was how to preach the gospel. Is there any lesson for us in the reaction of the other Apostles and their prayers?

Their prayer was centred on the will of God to get the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth as their master charged them. The direction of their prayer and what they asked for are very important which we should take note of. Observe how they prayed. There was unity and they were of one mind (Acts 4:24). Nobody had ulterior motive. First, they praised God; then they told God their specific problem and asked for His help. They did not ask God to remove the problem but to help them deal with it.

This is a model for us to follow when we pray. Those who query God about problems should understand that they can overcome problems and that will strengthen their faiths. God may choose to remove our problems, when we ask but we must recognize that often He will leave a problem but give us the strength and courage to deal with it.

Food for Thought: Psalm 2:1 – 4

Memory verse: Acts 4 verse 24  

Prayer: Lord, grant that I will not be intimidated by threats of the enemies of the gospel in Jesus name. Amen

A NEW COMMANDMENT: Devotion for Tuesday January 12, 2016

A NEW COMMANDMENT         Tuesday January 12, 2016

Text: 1 John 2:7 – 11                  Memory verse: v 10

In John 13:34, Jesus gave a new commandment which is love for one another as He loves us. The reason for this new commandment is that it should be the only way people will know us (Christians) as His disciples (John 13:35). This commandment is what John reechoed here. The command to love others was as old as the Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:18), and as new as Jesus’ words (John 13:34). Thus, John knew that he was not writing a new commandment because it is an old one we have always had which Jesus interpreted in John 13:34, 35.

In our churches, love should not only be expressed by showing respect; it should also be expressed through self-sacrifice and servant hood (John 15:13). “In fact, it can be defined as ‘selfless giving;’ reaching beyond friends to enemies and persecutors (Matthew. 5:43-48). Love should be the unifying force and the identifying mark of the Christian community. Love is the key to walking in the light, because we cannot grow spiritually while we hate others; our growing relationship with God will result in growing relationships with others” according to Life Application Notes. How much do you love fellow Christians?

Food for Thought: Love for God is seen in our love for others.

Prayer: As I grow in loving you, O God, grant that it will result in loving others.

THERE, I WILL MAKE YOU GREAT: Devotion for Tuesday January 5, 2016

THERE, I WILL MAKE YOU GREAT     Tuesday January 5, 2016

Text: Genesis 46:1 – 3                      Memory verse: v 3

When Jesus told Peter and his fellow fishermen to follow Him, they obeyed and today their names rings bell in the world. Who would have known the names of Peter, Andrew, James and John if not that they obeyed the instruction to follow Jesus? There are places God have chosen to open His promises to us. The promise of making Jacob great was made by God in Gen. 28:13–15. God told Jacob to leave his home and travel to a strange and faraway land, Egypt. He was 130 years old, unfit to travel and the journey is a long one. However, God reassured him by promising to go with him and take care of him. God fulfilled it by making Israel a great nation in Egypt. They were 75 persons that left for Egypt and came out in millions. What a mighty God we serve!

When new situations or surroundings frighten us as we have just entered a new year, we should recognize that experiencing fear is normal. However, to be paralyzed by fear is an indication that you question God’s ability to take care of you. There is a place God has chosen to bless and prosper you this year. All you need to do is ask for divine wisdom from God to take you to that place of recognition and blessing. We should trust God to help us as we undertake various ventures this year. He will see us through and make us great.

Food for Thought: Where has God promised to make you great?

Prayer: Lord, lead me to the place you have promised to make me great.

THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN: Devotion for Wednesday November 25, 2015

THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN      Wednesday November 25, 2015

Text: 1 John 2:1 – 4           Memory verse: v 1

In chapter one, John gave the steps for living in the light (1:5, 7) as confession of sin (1:9). The second step is to forsake all sin (2:1). This was his reason for writing. Sin is what separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1, 2). John emphasized human sinfulness in chapter 1 in order to make his readers despise their sin and try to stay free from it. So that you will not sin means that we should try to stay free from sin by avoiding it, refusing it, but then also confessing it when it does happen. Christians will sin because they have not yet been made perfect. John fully understood this. He did not want his readers to take the inability to avoid sinning as an excuse to sin.

Beloved, these words are written to caution and guide us against sinning. When we read, meditate and hide the word of God in our hearts, it will help to control us within the laws of God (Psalm 119:11). We must as well hate sin and every appearances of sin. This will help us to live righteously.

Food for Thought: Psalm 119:11

Prayer: God let your word richly dwell in me as I meditate on it in Jesus name.

I HAVE NO MAN: Devotion for Monday September 28, 2015

I HAVE NO MAN     Monday September 28, 2015

Text: John 5:1 – 9     Memory verse: v 7

This feast (5:1) was not specified. The pool of Bethesda (5:2) was located just north of the temple area near the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:32) and may have been used for washing sheep before Passover sacrifices. John 5:4 clarifies why there were so many ill people gathered around the pool and the reason behind the sick man’s words in 5:7. The question in 5:6 was geared to encourage an expression of the man’s desire, not his faith because Jesus wanted to provide a highly visible sign on the Sabbath (5:9). He also wanted to provoke the dialogue with the Jewish leaders concerning what should be allowed on the Sabbath day (5:10 – 47).

When this sick man said “I have no man,” he was thinking of the means of healing in that lake but Jesus knew what to do. Many a time, we preempt God’s way of healing. Some of us by our actions and words say “We have no help.” God is our helper. We should look up to Him for whatever we need, be it job, fruit of the womb, a life partner, etc. A Christian saying I have no man belittles God. One with God is said to be majority. With God you will get that desired job, car, house, child etc, in Jesus name.

Food for Thought: God is the helper of the helpless.

Prayer: God, help me out of my needs for you are the helper I have.

A RIGHT DESIRE

A RIGHT DESIRE      Thursday July 23, 2014

Text: John 17:24 – 26   Memory verse: v 24

In this prayer Jesus made for His disciples and would be disciples, He desired that they should be brought to heaven; and that there the whole company of the redeemed might behold His glory and therein find happiness. According to Life Application commentary, “This request impacts our present experience and future hope. In the present, we unite with Christ in God the Father (see 14:6; Colossians 3:3). In the future, we will be with Christ in eternal glory and enjoy with him the love he experienced with the Father forever.” This request Jesus made is a clear evidence of His love for us.

A young man requested for his father permission to bring in his friend to live with them. The father said, “Though I don’t easily deny your requests, but for this, no he can’t live with us.” That is human being for you but not so with Jesus. He wants us to be with Him as Friend and Brother. Are you working towards that?

Food for Thought: Are you among those that will be with Jesus?

Prayer: God, grant that I will be among those that will be with you after my life here on earth in Jesus name.

YOU WILL DESERT ME

YOU WILL DESERT ME       Tuesday July 21, 2015

Text: John 16:28 – 33        Memory verse: v 32

Christ plainly spoke about His entire mission - He was incarnated (came from the Father), He was made a human being in order to secure the salvation of human beings (into the world), and He would be resurrected from death and ascend back to the glory from where He came (return to the Father). The disciples understood Him easily (v 29, 30).

Notwithstanding the faith of His disciples in Him which they had expressed, He pointed out that they would soon desert Him and return to their homes, and so far as human friends were concerned, He would be left alone. This is an allusion to Zachariah 13:7.

There are ways we desert God especially when we are facing challenges and adversities. Many of us abandon the faith. However, it is expected that we should endure to the end for therein lies our salvation (Matthew 24:13). Do you easily abandon the faith when challenged?

Action: Write down some of the ways that people desert the faith. Use them to guide yourself against abandoning the faith.

Prayer: Lord God, strengthen my faith in you so that I can stand firm in the face of challenges and adversities in Jesus name.

PUT UP WITH ME

PUT UP WITH ME                                          Wednesday July 8, 2015

Text: John 15:1 – 8                                            Memory verse: v 4

Abide in me means stay with or put up with me. Here, Jesus tells us that He is the vine, and God is the gardener who cares for the branches to make them fruitful. The branches are all those who claim to be followers of Christ. The fruitful branches are true believers who by their living union with Christ produce much fruit. But those who become unproductive; those who turn back from following Christ after making a superficial commitment, will be separated from the vine. Unproductive followers are as good as dead and will be cut off and tossed aside.

The union between Christians and Christ is mutual. They abide in Him by faith, love, and obedience. He abides in them through the Holy Spirit, as the source of their spiritual life, light, and strength (compare Philippians 2:12, 13). When we put up with Him, we gain spiritual strength and He putting with us will enable productivity is evangelism, visitation and charity. Always make your heart conducive for Him to stay. 

Action: What are the ways you can put up with God?

Prayer: Help me O God to make my life conducive for you to stay